30 replies to this topic

[bart]

Here's a direct link to the May 27 article referenced in the blog linked by Figurante, above.
http://blog.oregonli...e_on_the_b.html

There is also a piece on how this looks and feels from the perspective of the company's dancers:
http://blog.oregonli...t_talk_fro.html

And here's something on the plans for a Gala fundraiser:
http://blog.oregonli...ing_seriou.html

[printscess]

This is too close to my heart, as my son is a company artist with the company. I appreciate the support I have seen in this thread. The line up for the June 12th fund raiser is amazing. Who can resist "After the Rain". I weep every time I see it. Tarantella is always a crowd favorite. OBT performed it in its last rep with rave reviews.

[Helene]

Damian Smith just staged "After the Rain Pas de Deux" for PNB.  Van Patten should be marvelous.

Is it of Ulbricht that someone remarked that they need to get him a titanium tambourine?  Think of the publicity shot with Ulbricht facing off against the Trailblazers backboard...  (I bet he can leap that high.)  Seeing Megan Fairchild will be a real treat.

I saw Melody Herrera dance a lovely Nutcracker and was equally good in adagio and allegro passages.  She should be lovely in "The Leaves Are Fading".

I wish I could be there.  I hope everyone from Portland will review it here  

[printscess]

A link to a new article states the case for OBt very thoughtfully and clearly.

http://blog.oregonli...e_how_to_t.html

[printscess]

This column pertains to all arts organizations.

http://www.oregonliv...eyre_a_nec.html

[Helene]

I received an email today from Pacific Northwest Ballet with an announcement for the gala, including links to purchase and donate.

Edited to add:

While this is preaching to the choir, if there is statistical evidence for this, how can arts education cuts be justified anywhere?

Quote

Why do our schools need the arts? Because kids who participate in the arts in school are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement than those who don't. They have better attendance, lower dropout rates, higher confidence and stronger writing skills. At-risk and special-needs students see stratospheric increases in achievement when their creativity is stimulated.

[printscess]

OBT is a white hot company and it is not just me saying so (which I tend to do).

http://www.obt.org/n...SaveBallet.html

[printscess]

I sent a letter to the CFO of OBT with this this exact idea. East coast, west coast, great minds think alike.

http://www.oregonliv...he_coliseu.html

[miliosr]

Looking at the 990s online is revealing.  Fiscal years 2005 and 2007 were more or less in balance but fiscal year 2006 was a real disaster year.  Gross receipts lagged and expenditures ballooned.  What was going on that year???

[miliosr]

http://www.nytimes.c...e..._r=1&ref=us

This article doesn't address OBT directly but provides some interesting context regarding the economy in Oregon.

[printscess]

oy, gulp, thanks. I just forward the link to my son and friends in PDX.

[PeggyR]

Looks like they made it.

[Figurante]

This is the best news I've heard all day! Congrats to OBt, all of its dancers, as well as the companies and dancers that participated in one of the most influential benefit performances of this decade!

[M&S]

That's great news. We are very happy. However, we did receive a notice from OBT this past week stating that our Sunday matinée tickets were being moved to Saturday for a couple performances. My guess is that it's due to the cutting of performances and saving on auditorium rental.

[OregonBalletTheatre]

M&S, on Jun 29 2009, 12:25 AM, said:

That's great news. We are very happy. However, we did receive a notice from OBT this past week stating that our Sunday matinée tickets were being moved to Saturday for a couple performances. My guess is that it's due to the cutting of performances and saving on auditorium rental.

Hi, M&S.

We haven't cancelled any performances for the upcoming season.  In fact, we're doing four more shows next year than we did in 2008/09.

When you filled out your subscription form, did you indicate a first and second choice for performance days?  It sounds like you might have been given the Saturday shows because the available seating in your section wasn't as good on Sundays - or else was sold out entirely.

I apologize if we switched your performance dates in error.   If that's the case, please call our box office at 503.2.BALLET and we'll correct it right away.

Best,

Erik at OBT